Theme of violence and hatred in Romeo and Juliet

From the beginning the violence and hatred in the play takes centre stage. The Prologue sets a scene of 'an ancient grudge . . . where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. ' It is the fist thing we lean in the play and is the backdrop against which all other events in the play are set. The feud, the cause of which is long forgotten, exists between two noble families whose constant fighting causes disorder for all the citizens of Verona. Unusually the prologue also tells us how this lawlessness will be cured - through 'their children's end'.

Thus from the outset we see that although the play is a famous love story it's central concerns are the effects of hatred and violence and the return to law and order. Act 1 quickly exemplifies the violence. Shakespeare cleverly begins as if the play is a comedy. Sampson and Gregory of the Montague household are discussing what they will do to any Capulets they meet in bawdy and brave terms.

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However, when they do meet they are reticent to begin a fight because they do not wish to fall foul of the law. They consider how to provoke a battle: I will bite my thumb at them which is disgrace to

them if they bear it. (Sampson) This simple if insulting gesture, which is perceived as being an insult to a person's honour, immediately reveals the heightened sensitivity of the feuding families because the least provocation can begin a fight. It is also clear that there is pleasure in fighting as well as honour to be upheld.

Maintaining honour, both individual and family, is the cause of much of the violence central to the concerns of the play. Where the initial fight began playfully, the tension and level of violence is quickly developed by the entrance of Tybalt, a Capulet.

What, drawn and talk of peace? I hate the word, As I hate Hell, all Montagues and thee. (Tybalt to Benvolio) Benvolio, a Montague, begs that the initial fight stop but the intervention of Tybalt raises the temperature with his talk of hatred and rejection of peace. He is described as 'fiery' elsewhere in the text indicating he is hot-headed and quick to anger. He is the most extreme example of the hatred that is a central concern of the text. The situation worsens as the officers of the watch and citizens of Verona take to the streets to try to end the brawl.

In this we seen the disruptive nature of the violence and how the whole of Veronese society is affected by this 'grudge' the cause of which is long forgotten. The situation only ends when Prince Escalus, ruler of Verona, arrives and uses his ultimate sanction: Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace... If ever you disturb our streets again Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace. (Prince Escalus) He condemns the families for their behaviour and threatens death for all future violent acts in a attempt to quell their outrageous and disruptive behaviour.

This is crucial to the turning point in the play as Romeo is the first to suffer from the edict albeit in with a lesser sentence of banishment. The next opportunity for confrontation arises in Act 1 Scene 5 when Romeo and his friends gatecrash the Capulet ball. Although it is masked, Tybalt, Capulet's nephew recognises Romeo: Now by the stock and honour of our kin To strike him dead I hold it not a sin. Tybalt is hot-headed and easily moved to violence. He regards the intrusion as an insult to his family and seeks instant revenge in front of all the guests.

He ignores the Prince's threat and is so full of rage that he is willing to fight in public and disrupt a happy occasion. Tybalt is driven by his lust for violence without thought for the consequences. Capulet is more restrained, however. Surprisingly he defends Romeo: Verona brags of him To be a virtuous and well-governed youth He sees no need to confront him, as Romeo's reputation is that of a law-abiding citizen. He feels it would in fact harm his reputation were he to take offence. Instead he berates Tybalt: You'll make mutiny amongst my guests! You will set cock-a-hoop!